How Not to Impress a Young Woman

Year 20: Valerie found herself inundated with information. They would teach her one moment about court etiquette and the next moment they were trying to tell her about her wardrobe. It was terribly disorganized and she finally asked for paper and pen and simply starting noting everything, to everyone's dismay. She finally asked for the names of her retinue and at that moment they realized they'd overlooked a simple, but important detail.

They started with her ladies-in-waiting, Alexandra and Kay, both Magir. She had a chaperone, William, and a secretary, Edward. William was human and a charming young man. He introduced himself with the expected grace, but then made an off-color joke in English that no one else understood. Valerie laughed. “Good, it's nice to meet someone here who isn't uptight about their station. Call me Bill.”

Valerie took a liking to him immediately. He kept his eye averted. His job was to make sure others' eyes stayed that way too. He explained plainly about the charm placed on her. It would make any man attracted to her if they stare into her eyes. And if she was interested, the charm would ramp up in strength. He explained he was chosen for the position because of his honorable nature and his reliance on glasses to see anything. Blurry vision made it harder for the charm to work its influence.

As he explained her two bodyguards would arrive soon, she then asked who the broad-chested man who kept following them around was. Bill looked over her shoulder, he shook his head. “It's your intended husband trying to be discreet.”

“Discreet? Everyone bows to him as he passes. He hides behind things smaller than he is and he seems to be breathing heavily.”

“That's as close as the magir get to stealthy. Honestly. I wouldn't worry about any magir spies.”

“Indeed,” said a thin male voice from a dark corner, “worry about the elven ones.” Everyone startled as Morgan stepped out.

Valerie was quickly steered away. “How long have you been standing there?” Bill asked, sternly.

“Not long,” Morgan answered. “I was following Eldin who has, indeed, failed to be stealthy at all.”

“I suppose you could do better?”

Morgan produced a wide ribbon with a jeweled adornment on it. It had been around Eldin's neck. “I did.”

Bill turned to hide a smirk and surreptitously whispered, “That will be your royal assassin.”

Valerie nodded with a coquettish look in her eye. “I like him.”